HaT 1/32 Austrian Masters

And finally the all-important comparison shots with other companies' output. One of my top criteria in buying a set is whether or not a given set will blend with what's already out there. I'm tolerant of minor variations in height (after all, folks come in all shapes and sizes) if they're not too far off (weapons are key - folks are different sizes, rifles are not). Style is another - but that's according to taste. So, looking at the new figures upside of what is already out there in the period is important to me.







Here's HaT's Grenadier between CTS' ACW Infantry (North and South) and Barzso/LOD ARW Continental and British Infantry







Lest we forget- some older shots reposted for reference:





AIP's 7YW French lean a bit more to 60mm or 1/30 scale and are larger than most mid-to late 18th Century figures in the scale. But IMHO they remain one of that company's finest offerings so I use them. I just keep them a bit apart from the smaller guys.


THE vital shot, I think - how do they stack up against HaT's own Prussians?


This shot almost makes me flash back to Basic Training.  Put those two guys in green and put a "Smokey the Bear" hat on the Prussian...



With the "new" 1/32 scale:




This is against Expeditionary Force's 1812 Militia - these are more 60mm. I haven't gotten any of their Napoleonics yet (intend to one day) so I'm not sure whether they're 54mm or 60mm. It depends on the series of figures.







I hope this helps. I was very impressed with these guys and am looking forward to their final release so I can get some more.

Dear Wayne,

They look great and I really like your super-imposing against the background of real photos!

As noted by 'lunch', thanks for all that effort with the comparison of sizes. It is really helpful for others.

Regards, James

Thank you for posting these very nice pics and helpful analysis on the Hat master sets.

Nice paint job, and stunningly clear pics!

If you don’t mind, I would very much like to hear your views on the Napoleonic set.

Cheers

Thanks for the correction - I think I had a senior moment.

LOL; My first impression is that they are well compatible with many of the products out there and kind of "bridge the gap" sizewise between the various sets out there. Since the 1990s when Conte Collectibles introduce the "large" 1/32 scale one has to keep in mind which side of the 1/32 "fence" a set falls on and whether they are compatible with the figures you want to put them with. As the pictures show, HaT has managed to fit in reasonably well with both types he of figures. Even more, they fit in with other HaT 1/32 scale offerings (and I have all of their 18th & 19th C. offerings, even if they're not painted or photographed yet). I think the comparison shots say more than words.

As far as plastic. Now these are test shots, but I like the plastic they come in - kind of mid-point between the soft stuff I don't mind but everyone else seemed to hate and the stiff, almost brittle plastic modelers and painters love but I hate (what can I say? Square peg in round hole?). This isn't fragile, but isn't so soft you're going to have problems keeping weapons straight.

As to detail, well, I think the pictures speak for that. I was trying to let the sculpting speak for itself while doing as good a job to present them favorably, while at the same time give them a "weathered" look; "five o'clock shadow" on some of the faces, I tried to avoid blank white on the uniforms and let the sculpted creases and fold show naturally instead of highlighting them with a wash - as I was tempted to do. I think it is possible to get great animation from the faces from the sculpts without having to "paint the faces" - which I have had to do on some sculpts from other producers.

Final thoughts: I like these guys. One can build a nice army with them without having to mortgage your house.  I am very pleased with these and hope to buy several boxes of each when they come out, at least enough for a decent formation in each of the poses.